SAN ANTONIO - For the second consecutive day Ohio State has landed a big-time commitment at the linebacker position. On Saturday afternoon the Buckeyes picked up a pledge from Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian linebacker Mike Mitchell. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound prospect put on the Ohio State hat at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, choosing the Buckeyes over the likes of Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

"It was just time to make a decision," said Mitchell. "I got to talk to all of the coaches and Urban Meyer is a great coach. He's got the program on a roll and he's doing big things. They are pretty thin at linebacker right now so it's a good opportunity for me, so I just felt like it was the best decision."

After nearly committing to Ohio State over the summer, Mitchell slowed things down a bit and waited until he was able to visit Columbus. That visit came during the second weekend of December and would ultimately be the only official visit that the four-star linebacker would take. Mitchell's time in Columbus helped him continue to build a relationship with the coaching staff and grow comfortable with the campus and academics at Ohio State.

"I took about a week after I got back from the Ohio State visit to really think it over," he said. "After that I knew that was where I wanted to be. I really felt comfortable there."

Though Mitchell's only official visit was Ohio State, he did make trips to both Oklahoma and Texas A&M during the fall, but ultimately his relationship with the Ohio State coaching staff was what sealed the deal for the Buckeyes.

"Coach Urban (Meyer) has a real good program going," Mitchell said. "12-0 and it is Ohio State, it is a big program and they are going to do big things."

Mitchell's relationship with the Ohio State head coach was a major factor in his decision.

"He's a man with integrity and he really does everything right, that's what I like about him," Mitchell said.

Mitchell will be moving far away from his home in the Dallas area but big moves aren't a new thing for the talented defender.

"I moved from Florida before (after his freshman year)," he explained. "So while Texas is my home, it's really 'home' so I'm used to (moving around)."

Mitchell becomes the second big-time prospect that Urban Meyer and his staff have pulled out of the state of Texas this season, joining four-star quarterback J.T. Barrett out of Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider.

Mitchell is commitment No. 21 for Ohio State in the 2013 recruiting class and fills a serious need at middle linebacker. He is the No. 30 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com and is right on the cusp of five-star status.

BuckeyeGrove.com will have more soon on Mitchell's commitment, including quotes from the Rivals100 prospect.